Anti-Bullying Policy

Rationale

New York Primary School is committed to providing a caring, friendly and safe and supportive environment for all of our pupils so they can achieve and enjoy learning in a relaxed and secure atmosphere. Bullying of any kind is unacceptable at our school. This includes on-line bullying and prejudice-based bullying. If bullying does occur, all pupils should be able to tell and know that incidents will be dealt with promptly and effectively.

We are a TELLING school. This means that anyone who knows that bullying is happening either to them or others, is expected to tell staff, a buddy or their parents to ensure anti-bullying systems within school are triggered.

This document outlines how we make this possible at New York Primary School.

Definitions of bullying

Bullying is deliberately hurtful behaviour that is repeated over a period of time which intentionally hurts another either physically or emotionally.

The school works hard to ensure that all children know the difference between bullying and
simply “falling out”.

Aims:

This policy aims to produce a consistent school response to any bullying incidents that may
occur.

All staff are committed to ensuring that children feel safe in school, maintaining a climate in which children can tell and can be sure that adults will listen

modelling and encouraging high standards of social behaviour

We do all we can to prevent it by developing a school ethos in which bullying is
regarded as unacceptable.

We aim to produce a safe and secure environment where all pupils can learn without
anxiety.

We aim to create a supportive environment for the victim and also for the bully; in order
to change patterns of behaviour and attitudes towards others.

Objectives of this Policy

All governors, teaching and non-teaching staff, pupils and parents should have an understanding of what bullying is.

All governors and teaching and non-teaching staff should know what the school policy is on bullying, and follow it when bullying is reported.

All pupils and parents should know what the school policy is on bullying, and what they should do if bullying arises.

As a school we take bullying seriously. Pupils and parents should be assured that they will be supported when bullying is reported.

Bullying will not be tolerated.

Parents and pupils have a voice to let us know how they feel we deal with bullying if it arises.

Actions to tackle bullying

At New York Primary we are vigilant for signs of bullying in order to take preventative action where possible. We use the curriculum to reinforce the ethos of the school and to help pupils develop strategies to combat bullying type behaviour. We work to understand why individuals become bullies and to support both the bully and the victim.

Reasons for being a bully may be:

being a victim of violence oneself

feeling the need for power or creation of fear

copying behaviour at home, by family members, peers or seen on TV or films

expecting to have one’s own way

reactions to a domestic upset or change

a cry for help or attention

jealousy

How we work to prevent and cure bullying

Open door policy to promote approachable staff for pupils and parents to come and talk to.

Record on Child protection sheet or parent concern sheet (if parent raises the issue) with dates. (Copy given to Headteacher)

If necessary the Head teacher and parents should be informed and involved and will be asked to come in to a meeting to discuss the problem. Parents should be informed that bullying can lead to exclusion.

If necessary and appropriate, police will be consulted.

An attempt will be made to help the bully (bullies) change their behaviour and support the victim. Parents will also be given advice and support.

Outcomes

The bully (bullies) will be instructed to genuinely apologise.

Other consequences may take place; working in a separate classroom, separate break and lunchtimes, exclusion from After School Clubs loss of other privileges.

In serious cases fixed term internal or external will be considered

If possible, the pupils will be reconciled.

After the incident / incidents have been investigated and dealt with, each case will be monitored to ensure repeated bullying does not take place.

Bullying outside of school premises

Teachers have a duty of care and the power to discipline pupils for misbehaving outside the school premises “to such an extent as is reasonable”. This can relate to any bullying incidents occurring anywhere off the school premises, such as on school or public transport, outside the local shops, or in a town or village centre. Where bullying outside school is reported to school staff, it should be investigated and acted on. The Headteacher should also consider whether it is appropriate to notify the police or antisocial behaviour coordinator in their local authority of the action taken against a pupil. If the misbehaviour could be criminal or poses a serious threat to a member of the public, the police should always be informed. In all cases of misbehaviour or bullying the teacher can only discipline the pupil on school premises or elsewhere when the pupil is under the lawful control of the staff member. More detailed advice on teachers’ powers to discipline, including their power to punish pupils for misbehaviour that occurs outside school, is included in ‘Behaviour and discipline in schools –

advice for Headteacher and school staff’

Signed___________________ co-ordinator
Signed ___________________ Headteacher
Signed ____________________ chair of governors
Signed ____________________school council representative